Spondylosis
Gentle massage can provide comfort and relief from the pain associated
with this condition.
Massage can be useful in helping to control the referred pain of Spondylosis
which in dogs may run caudally down the pelvic limb due to nerve irritation.
Areas of osteophytes are treated with extreme care.
Mobility and flexibility can be promoted by easing the surrounding tissues
that are exerting pressure on the nerve.
What is Spondylosis?
Spondylosis (also called Ankylosing Spondylitis) is an ageing disease
of the intervertebral disks characterised by bony spurs (osteophytes)which
originate from the end plate of vertebrae, and on x-rays can show up as
bridge formations on the underside of the vertebrae.
As the bony spurs press into surrounding tissue this produces pain and
discomfort. If the nerve exiting the vertebrae narrows and compresses the
nerve root emerging this also causes pain and may cause motor and sensory
disturbances accompanied by muscle weakness, loss of balance, gait irregularities.
If the spondylosis continues to spread to other vertebrae, there may be
several of these bridges, “welding together” so the vertebrae become less
flexible and fuse together.
Although much of the time the spinal cord is not compressed, pressure is
applied to exiting spinal nerve roots which has neurological repercussion,
often as referred pain. For example spondylosis of vertebra C6 may result
in pain on the medial border of the scapula and caudally down the thoracic
limb. Typically found in older dogs, areas of trauma, or bitches with several
pregnancies, spondylosis begins with the breakdown of Sharpey Fibres which
make up the outer portion of the intervertebral disks. As a result, inner
disk material protrudes which stretches the ligament which in turn encourages
the growth of osteophytes from the vertebral bodies.
Although Spondylosis is thought of as an inflammatory disease (this is
spondylitis),it is the abnormal increase of osteophytes attempting to restructure
damaged disks that causes the motor and sensory pain and disturbances from
encircled tissue pressure exerted upon the nerve. In the canine, the most
commonly affected areas are T9-T10, L2-L4.
Symptoms
Quite often a dog will show no clinical signs of Spondylosis, however
as the condition worsens symptoms may include:
Numbness and weakness in thoracic limbs
Yelping in pain when turning or twisting in a specific direction
Trouble walking
Tenderness over area
Reluctance to sit
Loss of balance
Roaching of back - upward curvature of the spine located generally between
the shoulder & hips
Lumps on spine
Nerve defecit and lack of proprioception in pelvic limb
Paralysisd
Inflexibility
Treatment
Nutrition review to check on calcium content of diet
Limit uptake of Vitamin A – found in Liver
Limit uptake of calcium
No surgical treatment available as osteophytes will simply grow back
Vet prescribed drugs
Massage to eliminate areas of pain referral and overcompensation by a professional
Be aware of collars which may aggravate the condition.
Take a look at your dogs bed, does it give them enough room to move?
Is it a curved plastic bed??
If it is
THROW IT AWAY NOW!
These types of beds can significantly aggravate mobility problems.
